Chip Gaines Reveals the Biggest Mistake He Ever Made

Chip Gaines of HGTV’s Fixer Upper is no greenhorn when it comes to the renovation business. But as they say, good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement.

Gaines told Good Housekeeping the biggest mistake he made in his professional career, outlined in his new bookCapital Gaines: Smart Stuff I’ve Learned Doing Stupid Stuff.

“Hands down, the time I misunderstood Jo’s direction and demoed the wrong wall. I took that thing down all the way to the studs before I realized what I’d done,” he explained. “I’ve never been so glad that Jo doesn’t hold a grudge!”

A close second to demoing the wrong wall might be the time he decided to try a bold design choice that didnt go over well with Joanna.

“One time I tried to surprise Joanna and put maroon grout with a cream stone backsplash,” he said. “Let’s just say I had to rip it all out and start over.”

Gaines also discussed the importance of springing for quality materials for any home improvement project, He also warned DIY lovers to not get in over your head, because that can lead to shoddy workmanship and poor patch jobs.